Myanmar to build new int'l airport in July

Myanmar will begin construction of a new international airport, the Hanthawaddy International Airport, by July this year, local media reported Tuesday.

Estimated to take three years to complete, the airport lies in central Bago region, covering an area of over 3,645 hectares, said the Newsweek.

A total of seven prequalified firms in terms of financial strength, experience record, skilled personnel and strong equipment resources for tendering the Hanthawaddy International Airport project have been selected, according to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

After their prequalification bid, these firms are to submit formal tenders for the project which will be implemented through public-private partnership, joint venture or the build-operate- transfer system in accordance with Myanmar's Foreign Investment Law, said the DCA.

The airport will be so designed as to handle 10 million passengers a year.

The prospective Hanthawaddy International Airport will be the fourth of its kind in Myanmar after that of Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

Myanmar is also carrying out a plan of privatizing all domestic airport management businesses to promote the civil aviation industry.

There are also 29 regional airports in operation throughout the country.